Lack Integrity Quotes
Armstrong rarely commented on politics (see {615854}), but the Governor defying the Supreme Court and not letting his people even go to school with other students was too much for him. He not only made the statement, but he approved it for publication. This shocked many who knew him as an apolitical person. He was particularly distressed with President Eisenhower who although he had warned Faubus that he would enforce the court order and then used federal troops to do so, Eisenhower was a man of action and not rhetoric and his lack of firm public statements overlooked an opportunity to use the Presidential “bully pulpit” and exercise his moral leadership and authority. Many then, and even 50 years later, were not sure where he stood on the issue of school desegregation.
President’s did not have then the kinds of staff resources that they would get later. Roosevelt had friends and professional relationships with journalists, military men, business men and others whom he used for staff work and advice. Franklin Delano Roosevelt also used this technique extensively.
Before Governor Mecham was impeached, Senator John McCain called for his resignation. After Mecham was impeached for misusing State funds and thwarting investigations of death threats, he commented upon McCain's qualifications for a place on the Republican national ticket:
